Living History Saturdays

Presenting historically accurate perspectives, Living History Saturdays at Historic Brattonsville offer experiences to reflect on what life was like in the Carolina Piedmont in the 18th and 19th centuries. Period-dressed interpreters help visitors better understand the past through authentic demonstrations and educational programs.

“A Celebration of the Senses–Traditional Arts” highlights the artisanry of the people of African descent who lived in the Brattonsville community and the greater Carolina Piedmont area. Barn-loom weaving, natural dyeing with indigo, woodworking, cooking, medicine and herbs, storytelling, call and response music and blacksmithing will be featured. 

Specific traditional arts will be demonstrated on these Saturdays:

June 1–Traditional Arts you can See

June 8–Traditional Arts you can Smell

June 22–Traditional Arts you can Hear

The stories of two upcoming national holidays that celebrate freedom will be presented as living history programs:

June 15–Juneteenth

June 29–Independence Day  

The Juneteenth celebration at Historic Brattonsville delves into the story of one of the oldest commemorations of the abolition of slavery in the United States and its connection to the Brattonsville community. Living history interpreters discuss African influenced foodways while demonstrating open-hearth cooking and open-fire barbeque. African art forms, the significance of the colors red, black, and green, as well as natural dyeing techniques will be highlighted. Make-and-take activities include creating a booklet for collecting recipes, historical information, documents, and other Juneteenth Celebration artifacts. Readings of General Order No. 3 are planned for 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Historic Brattonsville’s Independence Day program looks at how families in the Carolina Piedmont celebrated this national holiday during the 1850s. Ongoing activities feature 19th century refreshments, blacksmithing demonstrations and old-fashioned toys and games. Scheduled activities: hot air balloon launches at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., relay races for the kids at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.

“Patriotic Musings,” presented at noon and 3 p.m. on the Oak Grove Stage, feature guest-led toasts and readings from some of our nation’s founding documents; bring your own family-friendly libation or purchase in the Gift Shop. A guided tour, “Brattonsville’s African-American Community and The Pursuit of Liberty,” is scheduled for 1 p.m.